A Publicist is a public relations specialist who manages the publicity of a person or piece of media. Celebrities or public figures hire them to manage their image in the media.  
 
If working as Publicists for books, movies, or television shows, they work with a marketing team to manage the publicity and rollout of the piece.  
 
Publicists are sometimes also press agents or public relations managers. If you're looking for a career in this field, it's a good idea to set up a few job alerts with different keywords, so you don't miss out on any relevant opportunities in your area. 
 
Publicists often work for agencies that specialize within a specific industry niche. For example, some PR agencies only work with fashion brands, while others specialize in representing celebrities or politicians. There is a whole world of PR work to choose from!  
 
Publicists usually work 9-5 Monday to Friday. Occasionally they work during off-hours for events or in crises.  
 
Personality of a Publicist

• Ability to handle stress

A Publicist needs to be able to handle any situation and work a story in the media that may shed their client in a negative light. They need to find angles and perspectives that can help mitigate crises and act quickly and decisively.  

• Attention to detail

Imagine sending out a press release with the wrong name in the contact line. These little details can be costly to clients, so Publicists need to pay attention to every small detail.

• Writing skills

Publicists write all kinds of content, from emails, pitches, media kits, and social media copy. They need strong writing skills and to be able to adapt their writing to different purposes and audiences.  

• Public speaking skills

Publicists need to be comfortable giving press statements, speaking on the phone, and in front of large groups of people.  

• Interpersonal skills

Publicists need to rely on a solid network of contacts and work well with clients, journalists, editors, and influencers.